Last updated: 4/17/08

**information subject to change** Key to Available Continuing Education: CLE -- Legal (Continuing Legal Education) CRC -- Rehab Counselors (Certified Rehabilitation Counselors) NASW -- Social Work (National Association of Social Workers) PAL (Passport to Advocacy Learning) COM -- Communications Skills ORG -- Organizational Skills COS -- Community Organizing Skills ADV -- Advocacy Skills SLS -- Substantive Legal Skills CC -- Cultural Competence TECH -- Technology

 

Monday, June 02 AND Tuesday, June 03, 2008

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

 

NITA Training                                                                                                                La Galerie 4

Monday, June 02, 2008

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

 

Investigative Interviewing                                                                                            Studio 9

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV)

Jane Hudson, Senior Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network

Linda Steele, National Children's Advocacy Center

 

This training is specifically designed for child interviewers who have responsibility for initial investigative interviews. In this course, the attendee will experience immersion in the latest research-based information on interviewing techniques, taught by a nationally recognized trainer from the National Children's Advocacy Center (NCAC). The workshop will include training on the NCAC Forensic Interview Structure, basic interviewing skills, maintaining rapport, and interview strategies with respect to active and reluctant disclosure.

 

Legal Directors Meeting                                                                                                   Studio 4/5

 

PAIMI Advisory Council Training                                                                               Studio 7

Continuing Ed Available: PAL (COM; ORG; COS; ADV; CC)

Lance Baker, PAIMI Council Member, Iowa Protection & Advocacy (IA P&A)

Carrie Czerwinski, PAIMI Chair, Office of the P&A for Persons with Disabilities (CT P&A)

Sakena McWright, Outreach Advocacy Specialist, National Disability Rights Network

John Morrow, Chief, State Planning and Systems, CMHS

Gretchen Rohr, Staff Attorney/Jail Advocacy Project Director, University Legal Services (DC P&A)

May Terry, Former PAIMI Chair, Office of the P&A for Persons with Disabilities (CT P&A)

Susan Werboff, PAIMI Program Director, Office of P&A for Persons with Disabilities (CT P&A)

 

The PAIMI Advisory Council Training provides a forum for PAIMI Chairs, Council members, and Coordinators to come together and discuss those issues affecting the PAIMI community. More specifically, this year we are soliciting representation from every PAIMI Council from the 57 States and Territories. It is our hope that each PAIMI Council will be represented by their PAIMI Coordinator and PAIMI Chair or member. This year’s training will focus on varying aspects of the Criminal Justice system as they relate to the PAIMI Community. Through activities, presentations, and discussion, participants will have the opportunity to look at different  and exciting initiatives by PAIMI Councils around the country.

 

School-to-Prison Pipeline Reform                                                                             Studio 6

Continuing Ed Available: CLE; PAL (ADV; SLS; CC)

Courtney Bowie, Staff Attorney, Mississippi Youth Justice Project/Southern Poverty Law Center

James E. Comstock-Galagan, Southern Disability Law Center

Daniel Losen, Consultant

Ronald K. Lospennato, Director, School to Prison Reform Project

Marlene Sallo, Attorney, Education Team, Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities (FL P&A)

Jeffrey Spitzer-Resnick, Managing Attorney, Disability Rights Wisconsin (WI P&A)

Judith G. ("Judie") Storandt, Senior Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network

Steven C. Teske, Judge, Clayton County Juvenile Court

 

Participants will learn about the School-to-Prison Pipeline (STPP) that contributes to the disproportionate number of children and youth with disabilities coming into contact with juvenile and criminal justice systems. Also discussed will be contributing factors to this problem and a variety of advocacy strategies to address it, including leveraging special education rights via group administrative complaints; systemic litigation; push-back strategies in juvenile courts; legislative advocacy; and other approaches. Throughout the day, participants will engage in activities focused on drafting an action plan specific to their jurisdictions for engaging in targeted initiatives to combat the STPP problem. Participants should possess basic knowledge of special education and related rights of children with disabilities (e.g., have completed the TASC IDEA 101 webcast series available at www.ndrn.org/TASC/issues/edu/).

 

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

ADA and Emergency Planning and Preparedness                                            Studio 4/5

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Jeanne Abadie, Advocacy Center (LA P&A)

Roderick J. Macpherson, Staff Attorney, Minnesota Disability Law Center (MN P&A)

 

The needs of people with disabilities have often not been incorporated into the Emergency Planning and Preparedness plans of local, county, and state governments. Especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana P&A has been heavily involved with state and local governments, as well as non-government entities, to improve local planning and preparation for future emergencies.

 

In situations in which local government’s response to emergencies has discriminated against people with disabilities, some P&As have initiated litigation. The Minnesota P&A brought suit against local government officials when residents who are deaf were denied effective communication of emergency evacuation and disaster response information after a local hazardous-materials contamination event.

 

Learn about P&A involvement in planning and preparedness, as well as one approach when local government’s planning and preparation were not adequate and individuals with disabilities were discriminated against in the emergency response effort.

 

Connecting to Communities: Internal and External Considerations in a Changing Environment

La Galerie 5

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (COM; ORG; ADV; CC)

Pamela Hoopes, Legal Director, Minnesota Disability Law Center (MN P&A)

Stephanie Patrick, Director of Outreach and Training, Advocacy Center (LA P&A)

 

This workshop will explore how a changing environment can influence the need for P&A/CAPs to examine internal resources and their relationship to outreach approaches to "underserved" communities in order to establish stronger relationships to improve both awareness of community needs and access to services. The presenters will discuss the processes their organizations are using to meet these challenges. Learn how such varied efforts as diversity initiatives and social networking can be part of your organization's outreach toolkit.

 

Detecting and Preventing Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Facilities                 Studio 2

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV)

Alison Hirschel, Elder Law Attorney, Michigan Poverty Law Program, University of Michigan Law School

Laurie Peller, Advocacy Center (LA P&A)

 

P&As are involved in two types of nursing facility work: advocating for community placements and protecting residents from abuse and neglect. This workshop will focus on how P&As can detect and prevent abuse and neglect of individuals under the age of 60 who are not served through the long-term-care ombudsman program. Presenters will help P&As spot abuse and neglect and discuss legal and other tools for prevention. The presenters will also provide P&As with models for setting up programs to prevent abuse and neglect in nursing facilities.

 

NOTE: The workshop will not cover the Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASARR) Program, which is covered in the next workshop.

 

EEOC Update and Collaboration                                                                                    Studio 7

 

Emerging Issues in VR                                                                                                 Studio 6

Jim Doyle, V.R. Program Specialist, U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration (DC)
Rita Martin, Deputy Director, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (DC)

 

This session will address new initiatives and challenges faced by state VR programs, an update on the status of reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, and reporting issues and other requirements for CAP agencies. Speakers will address the business partnership initiative sponsored by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR), the review of state VR programs by RSA, monitoring of CAP agencies, and the reporting requirements of CAP agencies.

 

IEP Meeting Skills                                                                                                    La Galerie 6

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV; COM)

Roger Nellist, Attorney, Western NY Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled (NY P&A subcontractor)

 

A hands-on session focusing on strategies to handle IEP Team meetings, including preparing for the meeting, how best to present your position, dealing with difficult meetings and people, and negotiating skills. This session will be geared to the advocate as well as the attorney.

 

Termination of Parental Rights                                                                                  Studio 9

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; CLE; PAL (ADV; SLS)

Daniel Atkins, Disabilities Law Project Legal Director, Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (DE P&A)

Marianne Engelman Lado, General Counsel, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NY P&A subcontractor)

Elizabeth Priaulx, Senior Disability Legal Specialist, National Disability Rights Network

 

People with disabilities sometimes find themselves fighting to keep custody of their children or to prevent their parental rights from being terminated. Often, these parents are ill-served by the child welfare system because family preservation services are not designed to meet their specialized needs. This session will discuss recent ADA cases and advocacy on behalf of these parents.

 

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

 

ADAAG: Up Close and Hands On I                                                                         Studio 4/5

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Jonathan Martinis, Managing Attorney, Virginia Office for Protection & Advocacy (VA P&A)

 

What is ADAAG? How do you actually determine whether a public accommodation is or is not accessible? This session will present an overview and provide an active hands-on demonstration of measuring for and recording an accessibility evaluation.

 

Addressing Violence Against Persons with Disabilities                               La Galerie 5

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV; CC)

Beth Metzger, Disability Rights Advocate, Kentucky Protection and Advocacy (KY P&A)

Amy Judy, Project Coordinator, Disability Rights Wisconsin (WI P&A)

 

Regardless of race, age, ethnicity, class, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities are more likely to be assaulted or sexually abused and suffer domestic violence than persons without disabilities. U.S. Department of Justice grants and other funding sources are available to support initiatives focused on this population. The Kentucky P&A will share information about Project SAFE [Safety and Accessibility for Everyone] -- a multi-disciplinary collaboration combining the efforts of professionals who work with people with disabilities and persons who have been sexually abused or subjected to domestic violence. It facilitates the provision of accessible and comprehensive person-centered services, including initial responses and ongoing support, for individuals with disabilities who have victimized. The Wisconsin P&A will provide information about its “End Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women” project, which provides training, collaborative response protocols, and technical assistance for agencies, providers, and advocacy groups that provide services to women with disabilities who have experienced sexual abuse, domestic violence, or stalking, and promotes compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

Due Process I                                                                                                           La Galerie 6

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Matthew Engel, Disability Law Center, Inc. (MA P&A)

Roger Nellist, Attorney, Western NY Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled (NY P&A subcontractor)

 

Part I of a two-part session that will focus on the practical side of handling a due process hearing, including complaints; dispute resolution sessions; motions; discovery; preparation of witness testimony; direct and cross-examination; objections; and oral and written closing arguments. The session will include simulations and role plays of the major parts of a due process hearing. Prior to the conference, participants are encouraged to review the session on due process from the TASC Special Education 101 webcast at: www.ndrn.org/TASC/issues/edu/.

 

Fair Housing Act: Design and Construction                                                           Studio 9

Lucia Blacksher, General Counsel, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center

 

In 1988, Congress passed the Fair Housing Amendments Act. The Amendments expand coverage of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to prohibit discriminatory housing practices based on disability and familial status, and established design and construction requirements for multifamily housing built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991.

 

Fair Housing units are not fully accessible, nor are they purported to be; however, new multifamily housing built to comply with the Guidelines will be a dramatic improvement over units built in the past. Learn about FHA coverage, its seven requirements, and its enforcement from the General Counsel of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center – the main entity involved in enforcing the FHA’s design and construction requirements in the greater New Orleans area.

 

Partners in Policymaking I                                                                                           Studio 6

Continuing Ed Available: PAL (COM; COS)

Eric Buehlmann, Senior Public Policy Analyst, National Disability Rights Network

David Hutt, Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network

Kathy McGinley, Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy, National Disability Rights Network

 

Partners in Policy Making is an interactive session between CAP and NDRN policy staff with the goal of educating participants to be active partners with those who make policy. The program builds skills that individuals need to influence legislation and policy effectively and achieve a productive partnership between people providing, needing and using services and those in a position to make policy and law. The idea is to develop partnerships that are based on positive relationships. The sessions will provide an update on the work of the Second Session of the 110th Congress, strategies and tools for educating elected representatives on CAP, an interactive discussion of tactics that have been used effectively in the past, and concrete steps to be taken following the conference. 

 

Ticket Regulations                                                                                                         Studio 7

Dan O’Brien, Senior Advisor to the Associate Commissioner, SSA Office of Employment Support Programs

 

Following Congressional direction for SSA to study how the Ticket Program was serving beneficiaries with high support needs, the “Adequacies of Incentives” work group suggested changes that would synchronize the Ticket with VR and other supported employment services.  The new proposed rules for the Ticket Program incorporate these changes.  In this session, Senior Advisor Dan O’Brien will review the revision in the Ticket regulations and discuss a number of approaches to maximizing the value of the Ticket program. 

 

Using Medicaid’s PASARR Requirements to Address Systemic Deficiencies in Nursing Facilities, Including Abuse and Neglect                                                                                      Studio 2

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV)

Roger Bearden, Staff Attorney, Disability Advocates, Inc. (NY P&A subcontractor)

Steven Schwartz, Executive Director, Center for Public Representation

 

In response to the trend to phase down state psychiatric hospitals and institutions for individuals with intellectual disabilities, states relied on nursing facilities as another segregated setting for confining these individuals. Medicaid's Pre-Admission Screening and  Resident Review (PASARR) Program requires states to conduct screening and provide specialized services and active treatment to all persons with mental illness or intellectual disabilities who are determined to need such services pursuant to the PASARR screening process. However, nursing facilities often do not provide these services, preventing rehabilitation and recovery, and resulting in abuse and neglect. After presenting a brief overview of the PASARR screening process and PASARR's requirements for specialized services, and then focus on strategies to ensure that nursing facilities are complying with these requirements and providing specialized services or active treatment for individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness.

 

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

 

ADAAG: Up Close and Hands On II                                                                        Studio 4/5

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Jonathan Martinis, Managing Attorney, Virginia Office for Protection & Advocacy (VA P&A)

 

What is ADAAG? How do you actually determine whether a public accommodation is or is not accessible? This session will present an overview and provide an active hands-on demonstration of measuring for and recording an accessibility evaluation.

 

Case Selection and Discovery in Litigating Disability Discrimination in

Employment Cases                                                                                                       Studio 7

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Tom Crane, Staff Attorney, Advocacy, Inc. (TX P&A)

Kirk Lowry, Legal Director, Disability Rights Center of Kansas (KS P&A)

 

Careful case selection and case evaluation is critical for successful resolution of employment discrimination cases. Detailed information must be solicited from the potential client and his or her medical professionals. Other information may need to be obtained from co-workers and others to properly evaluate a case. Even if litigation is not initially contemplated, if the potential client is still on the job and seeking a reasonable accommodation, developing a discovery plan from the outset is critical. If litigation ends up being unavoidable and, after careful case evaluation, is commenced, employment discrimination cases typically involve substantial discovery. Hear from two experienced employment litigators – each with considerable experience in disability discrimination in employment cases – on case evaluation, including consideration of retaliation claims; developing a discovery plan; and conducting discovery.

 

Due Process II                                                                                                          La Galerie 6

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Matthew Engel, Disability Law Center, Inc. (MA P&A)

Roger Nellist, Attorney, Western NY Advocacy for the Developmentally Disabled (NY P&A subcontractor)

 

Part II of a two-part session that will focus on the practical side of handling a due process hearing, including complaints; dispute resolution sessions; motions; discovery; preparation of witness testimony; direct and cross-examination; objections; and oral and written closing arguments. The session will include simulations and role plays of the major parts of a due process hearing. Prior to the conference, participants are encouraged to review the session on due process from the TASC Special Education 101 webcast at: www.ndrn.org/TASC/issues/edu/.

 

Finding the Meaning in Measuring Satisfaction in the Network                  La Galerie 5

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (COM; ORG)

Sakena McWright, Outreach Advocacy Specialist, National Disability Rights Network

Zena Naiditch, Executive Director, Equip for Equality, Inc. (IL P&A)

 

As organizations committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in advancing their human, legal, and civil rights, P&A/CAPs advocate for publicly funded service systems that are responsive to and empower people with disabilities and deliver quality services. An important component of the program evaluation process is solicitation of input regarding the satisfaction of people who have participated in program activities. A well-conducted survey can have positive results for future users of services, the individual agency, and the P&A/CAP System as a whole. This workshop will focus on strategies regardgin how to effectively have the users of services evaluate the quality and outcome of the services delivered.

 

Jails: Monitoring Mental Health Services                                                                 Studio 9

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; CLE; PAL (SLS)

Nancy Koenigsberg, Legal Director, Protection & Advocacy System (NM P&A)

Michelle Michelson, Staff Attorney, Arizona Center for Disability Law (AZ P&A)

 

Our nation’s jails house a significant number of persons with mental illness and other disabilities, and typically are ill-equipped to meet their needs. P&As are well suited to advocate for improved conditions of confinement and discharge planning for this population. Presenters will share their experiences and lessons learned conducting investigations and monitoring in jails and advocating for jail reforms. The Arizona P&A will describe its non-litigation legal advocacy activities over the past several years in the Pima  County Jail and the improvements that have resulted. The New Mexico P&A will discuss class action challenges to conditions and mental health services in a large metropolitan jail, settlement agreements that ensued, and challenges encountered in implementing the settlements. There also will be an open discussion to strategize among participants about current and prospective jail monitoring activities in their jurisdictions

 

Partners in Policymaking II                                                                                          Studio 6

Eric Buehlmann, Senior Public Policy Analyst, National Disability Rights Network

David Hutt, Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network

Kathy McGinley, Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy, National Disability Rights Network

 

Partners in Policy Making is an interactive session between CAP and NDRN policy staff with the goal of educating participants to be active partners with those who make policy. The program builds skills that individuals need to influence legislation and policy effectively and achieve a productive partnership between people providing, needing and using services and those in a position to make policy and law. The idea is to develop partnerships that are based on positive relationships. The sessions will provide an update on the work of the Second Session of the 110th Congress, strategies and tools for educating elected representatives on CAP, an interactive discussion of tactics that have been used effectively in the past, and concrete steps to be taken following the conference. 

 

Proving your Community Integration Case                                                            Studio 2

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; CLE; PAL (ORG; ADV; SLS)

Roger Bearden, Staff Attorney, Disability Advocates, Inc. (NY P&A subcontractor)

Elizabeth Priaulx, Senior Disability Legal Specialist, National Disability Rights Network

Steven Schwartz, Executive Director, Center for Public Representation

 

The session will examine how to prove a systemic community integration case through the lens of four central questions: (1) proving that individuals can benefit from community living; (2) proving that individuals' current residential setting is insufficiently integrated; (3) proving the inadequacy of the current service system to accommodate the individuals' needs; and (4) rebutting the state's defense that community integration would fundamentally alter the state's service system. Speakers will draw upon examples from cases involving various populations, claims, and service systems, and address how to select and organize experts; how to gather relevant information on clients, programs, and professional judgment; and how to investigate and incorporate data and research.

 

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

8:30 am - 10:00 am

 

Advocating for Appropriate Oral Health Services                                                 Studio 2

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; CLE; PAL (ADV)

Paul Glassman, Director, Community Oral Health, University of the Pacific- Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Jane Perkins, Legal Director, National Health Law Program

 

Individuals with disabilities face many barriers in obtaining appropriate oral health care, especially individuals with disabilities who are minorities.  Inadequate oral health care can result in unnecessary emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and downstream health care costs. Learn about how P&As can use Medicaid and other laws to improve the oral health care of individuals with disabilities, including individuals with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Also learn how P&As can advocate for improved managed care and community-based delivery systems for oral health care for individuals with disabilities.

 

Coming Home from Incarceration                                                      La Galerie 5

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

John Gresham, Senior Litigation Counsel, NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NY P&A subcontractor)

Gretchen Rohr, Staff Attorney/Jail Advocacy Project Director, University Legal Services (DC P&A)

 

Jails are filled with persons who have disabilities and, in particular, persons with mental illness. In addition to disrupting their lives, incarceration often exacerbates problems that might have contributed to their arrest. About 95 percent of incarcerated persons will be released back into their communities, and most will be arrested again. There is a growing national awareness of the need to effectively address these issues through effective re-entry planning and aftercare services. P&As bring a much-needed expertise to these issues. The District of Columbia P&A will describe its jail initiative – funded by a grant from the DC Bar Foundation – and discuss the importance of peer advocates for successful re-entry. A New York P&A subcontractor will discuss a major class action lawsuit, Brad H.; the reforms prompted by the settlement agreement in that case; and the current implementation status of that agreement. Participants will have an opportunity to strategize about how to apply lessons learned in their jurisdictions.

 

Discipline I                                                                                                                 La Galerie 6

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV; COM)

Nancy Anderson, Senior Staff Attorney, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (AL P&A)

Matthew Engel, Disability Law Center, Inc. (MA P&A)

Mark McWilliams, Staff Attorney, Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MI P&A)

 

Part I of a two-part session that will focus on the practical side of handling discipline cases. The session will include simulations to help in understanding the issues, and participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share strategies. Prior to the conference, participants are encouraged to review the session on discipline from the TASC Special Education 101 webcast at: www.ndrn.org/TASC/issues/edu/.

 

E-Discovery I                                                                                                                   Studio 9

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; CLE; PAL (ORG; SLS; TECH)

Allan Kanner, Founder and Senior Member, Kanner and Whiteley, L.L.C.

Marianne Engelman Lado, General Counsel, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NY P&A subcontractor)

Lori Ann Wagner, Partner, Redgrave Daley Ragan & Wagner LLP

 

The session will highlight the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure related to electronic discovery. Participants will gather pointers on: e-discovery best practices in small, non-corporate settings; how to request and what to do with electronically stored documents; and ways of protecting P&A/CAP specific interests related to electronically stored information. Significant time will be allocated for audience questions.

 

FHA - Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications                                      Studio 4/5

Continuing Ed Available: CLE

Lucia Blacksher, General Counsel, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center

Susan Meyers, Managing Attorney, Advocacy Center (LA P&A)

 

The Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when accommodations may be necessary to allow a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy his/her dwelling. The Act also requires housing providers to generally allow people with disabilities to make modifications to their dwellings to make them accessible. Speakers from the Louisiana P&A and the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center will talk about the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and give practical examples of fair housing advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

 

Legal and Policy Strategies to Close Sheltered Workshops                              Studio 7

Continuing Ed Available: CLE; PAL (COM; ADV; SLS)

Kirk Lowry, Legal Director, Disability Rights Center of Kansas (KS P&A)

 

Should states be supporting sheltered workshops when the people with disabilities working in these facilities could be working in integrated settings with the right supports?  Speakers will discuss legal and policy arguments for switching funding away from these segregated settings and toward more integrated employment options. Litigation over the improper use of 14C wage certificates will also be discussed.

 

Mental Illness in the Context of VR                                                                            Studio 6

Mark Salzer, Associate Professor and Director, University of Pennsylvania College on Community Integration of Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities

 

Work is among the top three desires of individuals with psychiatric disabilities – as it is with the general population – and one that is highly achievable. This workshop will provide participants with information on the factors associated with employment of these individuals, and current evidence-based practices that support employment. Participants will share challenges they experience in this area and discuss solutions for overcoming them.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

Advances in Juvenile Detention Reform                                                                 Studio 2

Continuing Ed Available: CLE; PAL (ADV)

Robert ("Bob") Fleischner, Assistant Director, Center for Public Representation

Judith G. ("Judie") Storandt, Senior Staff Attorney, National Disability Rights Network

 

This session provides an overview of successful strategies that have been used to promote reforms on behalf of children with disabilities in juvenile justice facilities in Louisiana. Presenters will share information about media and legislative advocacy and class action litigation resulting in settlement agreements that substantially reduced the number of youth confined in juvenile correctional facilities and improved educational and mental health services. Presenteres will also explore how the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) model is being used to reduce detention populations, improve public safety outcomes, expand alternative programs, enhance conditions of confinement, and reduce racial disparities.

 

Collaborating with One Stops                                                                                     Studio 7

David Gallegos, PABSS Director, Advocacy Center (LA P&A)

Christi Hunter, Disability Program Navigator Director

 

The Workforce Investment Act provides the framework for a national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet the needs of businesses, job seekers, and those who want to further their careers. A key component enables customers to easily access the information and services they need through the One-Stop Career Center system…or does it? The Disability Program Navigator initiative assists individuals with disabilities in accessing employment through services offered by One-Stop Career Centers.  Better understand the One-Stop system and learn how advocates and providers can improve access and services to increase successes for people with disabilities.

 

Discipline II                                                                                                                La Galerie 6

Continuing Ed Available: NASW; PAL (ADV; COM)

Nancy Anderson, Senior Staff Attorney, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (AL P&A)

Matthew Engel, Disability Law Center, Inc. (MA P&A)

Mark McWilliams, Staff Attorney, Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. (MI P&A)

 

Part II of a two-part session that will focus on the practical side of handling discipline cases. The session will include simulations to help in understanding the issues, and participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share strategies. Prior to the conference, participants are